Aasthik (आस्तिक) is a Sanskrit word which literally means Believer. I feel that to achieve anything in life, you need to believe. Whom you choose to believe - God, yourself, your abilities, ideals, principles, fate, luck or destiny is your choice. This blog includes posts on all sorts of things- technology, programming, day to day experiences, GOD, religion, spirituality, science, philosophy & theology.

Friday, December 3, 2010

Religion Vs Science Vs Spirituality

My friends and Meditation Buddies Prakhar Goel and Akhil Ranjan are among the most intelligent and wise persons (at this age/stage of life) that I ever met. They are knowledgeable at the same time. However, there are a few key areas where we have our differences – mostly when it comes to Spirituality and Religion.

For me Religion is ‘Religion’ in the broadest sense. Its equivalent to the Sanskrit word ‘Dharma’ which includes Spirituality and Yoga too. But for other people it is limited to going to Mosque/Churches/Temples and worshipping under some strict guidelines. So whenever I use the word ‘Religion’ I mean ‘Dharma’. I am not going to change the definition of ‘religion’ if people are misguided.

Prakhar Goel strongly believes that Religion ends where Spirituality begins. While for me, even in the least sense, Religion is a tool for Spiritual Progress, or better it is the most important, most sophisticated, most advanced tool for Spiritual Progress – you just need to get the definition of 'Religion' right.

So what exactly is Religion? Simply put, in a very narrow sense, it is a set of practices and/or guidelines followed by certain enlightened individuals following the path of a Spiritual Leader. Such a spiritual leader is called a ‘Prophet’. Islam tells us that every Prophet comes with a a set of guidelines assigned to him by Almighty. These guidelines are then written down in the form of a book by their followers. Hence a prophet comes with a Book. A few examples are:

Lord Ram – Raamaayan

Lord Krishna – The Holy Geeta

Moses – The Ten Commandments

Jesus Christ – The Holy Bible

Prophet Mohammed – The Holy Koran

Since there are many followers and each one of them has a different way of perceiving things, many different versions of the same book exists. Thus any practice followed by any group of individuals is a new religion, where its by the followers of ‘Aasha Ram Bapu’ or ‘Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’ or ‘Swami Vivekananda’ or ‘Sai Baba’ or the ‘Sahaj Marg System’.

Honestly I love the words of Sai Baba and Swami Vivekananda. You know why? Because they never told me to follow any particular religion. They just told every one to follow one religion – ‘humanity’. They always told people do what your birth religions tells you to. If you are born a Muslim read Namaaz five times, if you are Christian to the church atleast every Sunday, if you are a Hindu perform your duties likewise. They never told – “Only by this path you’ll reach the ultimate goal” neither did they claim that their guidelines are the ‘best’ and ‘better’ than others.

So where does Science fits into all these? Well, I would say Science, itself is a kind of a Religion. They are in search of the same truth as other religions namely-

Who are we?

Why are we here?

Why are we the way we are?

What is our purpose?

What is the ultimate goal of life?

How were we born and who created us?

etc. etc.

The only difference is that their prophets are the Bohrs, the Einsteins, the Newtons, and the Hawkings. Every Scientist or Engineer or Technocrat is indeed is a Spiritual Seeker – just using a different ‘Bible’ or ‘Geeta’ or ‘Koran’ you may say.

So what is Spirituality then? To me, spirituality is the answer to all our questions including the ones Science and Religion are looking for. But most importantly is the understanding of ‘who we are’. We are the very essence of existence. You may ask me ‘existence of what’ I will say ‘Existence of Supreme Consciousness’ and then when you ask me Consciousness of what, I will say – ‘Consciousness of Existence!’

I dedicate this post to all Scientists, Seekers and all Religions Worlwide.

19 comments:

this is what i perceive of the word relgion..its just a set of guidlines which have been laid down by our own forefathers in our religious scriptures for a peaceful and orderly human existence....coz lets take it, at times its the fear of god that stops us from doing a lot of wrongs....and when we say that god resides in our very own self arent we again referring to our subconscious....just a thought.....

Yes you are right Mr BIT Rocker. One view is what you say that "ts just a set of guidlines which have been laid down by our own forefathers in our religious scriptures for a peaceful and orderly human existence". But it is more than that. It's Science that they have written. Every thing that we have discovered or going to discover is written in those religious scriptures.

Through my research in Science and in Religion I have come to understand the 'Science of Religion' and in the subsequent posts I am going to write about why religious guidelines exists and why it is necessary to follow them.

Also, whenever we talk about GOD, we aren't referring to the Sub-conscious, we always refer to the Super-Conscious. People are unaware that a group of Psychologists have promoted the existence of Super-Consciousness in humans.

I give Radhasoami Faith view of Creation Theory. In Sar Bachan (Poetry) composed by His Holiness Soamiji Maharaj the August Founder of Radhasoami Faith the details of creation and dissolution has been described very scientifically. It is written in this Holy Book: Only He Himself (Supreme Father)and none else was there. There issued forth a great current of spirituality, love and grace (In scientific terminology we may call this current as gravitational wave). This is called His Mauj (Divine Ordainment). This was the first manifestation of Supreme Being. This Divine Ordainment brought into being three regions, viz., Agam, Alakh, and Satnam of eternal bliss. Then a current emerged with a powerful sound. It brought forth the creation of seven Surats or currents of various shades and colours (in scientific terminology we may call it electromagnetic waves). Here the true Jaman or coagulant was given (in scientific terminology this coagulant may be called as weak nuclear force and strong nuclear force). Surats, among themselves, brought the creation into being.

These currents descended down further and brought the whole universe/multi verse into being i.e. black holes, galaxies etc. were born.

Newton said the speed of gravity is infinite but according to Einstein (and some nifty interstellar measurements), it most certainly is not.

But Newton is right.

We know that even the light cannot escape black holes. Why? There is only one possibility that gravitational force pulls light with greater speed than the speed of light. The speed of gravitational wave is many times higher than the speed of light at black holes. On Earth gravity is subordinate to electromagnetic wave but on black holes electromagnetic wave is subordinate to gravitational force.

The Universe includes everything that exists. In the Universe there are billions and billions of stars. These stars are distributed in the space in huge clusters. They are held together by gravitation and are known as galaxies. Sun is also a star. Various members of the solar system are bound to it by gravitation force. Gravitation force is the ultimate cause of birth and death of galaxy, star and planets etc. Gravitation can be considered as the cause of various forms of animate and inanimate existence. Human form is superior to all other forms. Withdrawal of gravitational wave from some plane of action is called the death of that form. It can be assumed that gravitation force is ultimate creator. Source of it is 'God'. Gravitational Field is the supreme soul (consciousness) and its innumerable points of action may be called as individual soul (consciousness). It acts through body and mind. Body is physical entity. Mind can be defined as the function of autonomic nervous system. Electromagnetic waves are its agents through which it works. This can be realized through the practice of meditation and yoga under qualified meditation instruction. This can remove misunderstanding between science and religion and amongst various religions. This is the gist of all religious teachings - past, present and future.

@AnirudhWhile what you have written might be true, it is a Theory, and just like any theory it can be challenged. And this theory fails when we talk about modern findings and the scientific discoveries of 21st century.

I strongly recommend that you go through the documentary series on 'String Theory'. All the claims about Gravitational field by Radhasoami theory are proved wrong. That is not how actually a Gravitation field works. And let me tell you that Gravity is property of the matter. And any property is not Consciousness, because consciousness gives birth to properties.

Newton has been proved wrong, and Einstein's General Theory of Relativity shows how exactly Gravitational field works. Check it out for yourself.

@AnirudhHonestly, I don't want my blog to turn into a place of debate. The theme of blog is "Aasthik - a believer by choice." You are free to believe whatever you choose to, so am I. When you are a believer you have to be rigid and flexible at the same time. You gotta be rigid with your beliefs and flexible towards others beliefs. That is how faith works.

I found lots of links where all you have done is post your "Radhasoami Faith view of Creation Theory" and continue the debates. All I know is that I can find the following blogs where you commented -http://slyoyster.com/newsandpolitics/2010/a-new-theory-concerning-our-universe/

So all I can see I you are trying to promote one particular view, which itself defines itself in terms of possibilities - "One possibility is that..." and as I said anyone who says - "My religion is the ultimate" or "My theory is best" loses its significance at the point. I humbly request you not to turn this into a debate ground.

Dear Suryavanshi I don't want to make your blog debate ground. I read you blog Religion Vs Science Vs Spirituality and encouraged to write comments in your blog. You should appreciate views of others even if they don't conform to yours.

You write that scientists are spiritual seekers. I agree. You have mentioned several names of scientists including Stephen Hawking. Would you allow me to write:

Stephen Hawking writes in The Grand Design, “It is not necessary to invoke God to light the blue touch paper and set the Universe going.” Hawking said the Big Bang was merely the consequence of the law of gravity. In A Brief History of Time, Hawking had suggested that the idea of God or a divine being was not necessarily incompatible with a scientific understanding of the Universe.

Although Hawking is very close to Truth yet he is not perfect in his views while discarding the role of divine being. I consider the role of eternal gravity uppermost but I strongly differ with Hawking on the role of divine being. I consider Divine Ordainment is the cause of Creation of Universe.

Mr Anirudh, I started my comment with the statement - "While what you have written might be true", that should tell you that I appreciate your views. However, you quote Stephen Hawking saying that he is right, but the moment he deviates from your belief you say Hawking is wrong! I wonder if GOD himself paid you a visit to tell the secret of creation?

Honestly, I believe what my scriptures tell me. I believe the Vedas, the Puranas, the Geeta. I would always prefer words of "RadheKrishna" (in Geeta)over any "Radhasoami" anyday.

More importantly I believe in the Science of Religion. "Satyamev Jayate" so any truth can't be overshadowed, not even by Science. So if Science tells me that speed of Gravity is not infinite, it's not! And Gravity is not GOD. Gravity is only an aspect of his creation or his being.

I don't know about you, but I am a proper engineer and researcher, and I am sure about facts related to Gravitational field. Possibilities end when facts are obtained.

Except for the theory of creation, can you tell me -the reasons for Fasting?Why Every religion ask us to speak the truth?Why every saint, every religion says "Do good receive good" i.e. "Kar bhala to ho bhala"?What exactly is prayer?If GOD is gravity, who are we? What is consciousness and where does it come from?

Gravity is not God, I agree but Source of Gravity is God. Gravitation Force is the first emanation from God. Force of Consciousness and Gravitation Force are, in fact, the two names of the same Supreme Essence. Both have common attributes.

Even for Gravity to exist, Matter has to exist. For matter to exist Electromagnetic and Nuclear forces have to exist.

I never heard of 'Force of' Consciousness. Can you list out the common essence of Gravitation and Consciousness? Consciousness is associated only with Living Beings, Gravity with any kinda matter.

Moreover, Geeta tells us 'God is everywhere'. But Gravity is not everywhere. What do you say about Vacuum then? According to theory of relativity and Quantum Physics, if there is anything which is present everywhere - it is Vacuum. And it contains much more energy that the Gravitational or Electromagnetic or Nuclear Force. Check out: http://bit.ly/mouthshut3

Dear Mr SatsangiI told you I dint want by blog to be a debate ground.... did not I?

I do agree that you have some knowledge of literature and mythology but you are dumb about Science. Practically Dumb! Black holes are formed when a Star collapses under its own weight. So, black holes are nothing but a Gravitational pull/field of a Massive Star whose size is a 'point'. Which means Black Holes have Massive Matter concentrated at one single point in space!Check it out for yourself.

On the other hand I do agree that people refer to 'Chetna Shakti' but you mistook Shakti for Force. Shakti means Power not Force. And any sort of Energy poses power! So you are not only dumb about science, but languages too!

How how can you prove that "Consciousness too is associated with all kinds of animate and inanimate existence." Can you? Don't put false claims until you can prove it!

Moreover, you talk like a Nursery child, repeating like a broken record. You base all your comments on Gravity & nothing else. I asked you so many questions but you skipped everything. I asked you about Vacuum... will you label Vacuum as GOD? You dint answer.

Mr Satsangi, be happy with your Gravity, treat it as your GOD, and leave authors of other blogs alone in peace!

P.S. If you type any bullshit baseless comment here again I'll not only delete it, but will block you from my Blog!

Guys, if you are reading these comments which I somehow doubt, I request you to visit http://hinessight.blogs.com/church_of_the_churchless/2009/11/there-are-no-signs-of-god-so-why-believe.html , to know more about this Crazy Guy Mr Anirudh Kumar Satsangi and his FAMOUS Radhasoamiji.

He think's he's a reincarnation of 4th Radhasoami the beloved disciple of 3rd Radhasoami! These is much more to this fellow. Enjoy if you like to!

Suryavanshi, You write: "So, black holes are nothing but a Gravitational pull/field of a Massive Star whose size is a 'point'. Which means Black Holes have Massive Matter concentrated at one single point in space!" This is what I want to say. Everything ends up in Gravitational Force Field and re-originates from here. This is the Above of Lord Krishna. Whether this single point is a matter state or energy state? State of Matter can not exist at this level. Only Force (Gravitational) remains. All other forces are merged into this force.

How will you translate Electromagnetic Force into Hindi? Is it not Vaidyut-chumbkiya Shakti"

Quantum Physics has created lot of confusion. It has made logical illogical. Gravity is everywhere. In Vacuum there is only Gravitational Force.

I have been telling you, not to debate but did not heed my requests. Can you tell me what was the relevance of any bullshit you said with my Article? I pointed out that you are acting childish you did not care. I deleted your previous comment(which was the same as above). You still don't understand.

I am telling you on your face, that you are not welcome here, but I still doubt that you will understand. You are making a fool of yourself, by posting baseless and FALSE comments again & again. I have pointed out your follies, but instead of accepting them, you are trying to prove them right and make a fool of yourself.

You are Almighty Mr Anirudh. You say Gravitational Field is Above Lord Krishna. That's a fact. You say matter can't exist, that's a fact, Electromagnetic Force is of-course Vaidyut-chumbkiya Shakti. Quantum Physics is of-course Illogical! No doubt. And in Vacuum there is only Gravitational Force. I wish I was the chief judge of the Nobel Prize, I would have given it to you right now!

But somehow, I know there's nothing above Lord Krishna. In black holes Matter exists in a very dense form. Any atom is almost 80% Vacuum. In black holes that percentage is nearly zero. Its DENSE matter that's present in Black Holes, and its not exactly a point, but compared to Space it is treated as a POINT.

Go and read some Hindi Medium Physics Text Books, to know that Gravitational Force is called Grutvakarshan Bal and not Grutvakarshan Shakti. If there is a chapter in English Books titled 'Work, Energy and Power' the corresponding chapter in Hindi Medium Books is 'Karya, Urja aur Shakti'. If in English we call 'Power Delivered' its equivalent is 'Pradatta Shakti' and 'Force' is 'Bal'.

Quantum physics of-course makes no sense to Morons. And Vacuum is something, where there is nothing, not even Gravitational Force. The World knows this fact very well. But since you say otherwise, all the people on earth are Idiots.

Guys, I had to allow his comment to be published, to make things clear and invite him to Ranchi. India's most effective Mental Hospital is Ranchi. He needs a visit desperately! Still as a measure, I have marked his comments as Spam, so he won't be troubling us any further.

dear suryavanshi I would like to say same words for you as you said about prakher goyal & akhil ranjan ...you are an intelligent person having a clear & true way of thinking in such vague & misinterpeted topic. really you do deserve to be praised. i have also been brooding over things like... 1/ Is my existance is mere result of chemical combinations and reactions ?2/ If life is mere result of chemical reactions & combinations then what about SELF- WILL ?3/If this universe begins with big bang and isthe result of gravitational force then question arises why things are righty going in same direction as our existance are is destined ? and who is the architect of this superfine world ? kailash chandra sharma rajnandgaon chhattisgarh kaichash7777@gmail.com / kaichash7777@yahoo.in

I always say (& truly believe) that appreciation is equivalent to motivation and criticism is leads to introspection. So, I thank you for your motivation. However, I am a small being and still learning. I am just trying to share what I have learnt and experienced during my (spiritual) journey.